Chris Arnoldhttp://nhpr.org
enWith Greece Facing Economic Abyss, What Will EU Leaders Do?http://nhpr.org/post/greece-facing-economic-abyss-what-will-eu-leaders-do
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=With+Greece+Facing+Economic+Abyss%2C+What+Will+EU+Leaders+Do%3F&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4NTE2MTUwMDEzMjEzNzg3MTJlZmNhYQ004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>We are following the story that is unfolding in Greece, where European patience is being tested and so is the ability of Greek citizens to withstand an economic collapse. Even getting money out of ATMs is becoming near-impossible in some places with banks closed.Tue, 07 Jul 2015 09:11:00 +0000Chris Arnold72388 at http://nhpr.orgAfter Rejecting Bailout Plan, Greece's Economic Future Is 'Invisible' http://nhpr.org/post/after-rejecting-bailout-plan-greeces-economic-future-invisible
The Greek word for no is <em>oxi</em>, and across Athens and the Greek Islands on Sunday, it was everywhere: on posters, spray-painted on walls and old cars.<p>And it was also on ballots: Greek voters voted <em>oxi </em>Sunday in a historic referendum over the country's economic future.<p>The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called the surprise vote to ask his country whether they would accept a bailout offer from European leaders that he thinks would be too oppressive.Mon, 06 Jul 2015 02:11:00 +0000Chris Arnold72303 at http://nhpr.orgAfter Rejecting Bailout Plan, Greece's Economic Future Is 'Invisible' In Crucial Referendum, Greeks Reject Bailout Proposalhttp://nhpr.org/post/crucial-referendum-greeks-reject-bailout-proposal
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=In+Crucial+Referendum%2C+Greeks+Reject+Bailout+Proposal&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAzODUzMjE5MDEyNDk2NjQ3NDc0MTczOA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>ARUN RATH, HOST: <p>Greek voters said no, casting their ballots today in a historic referendum on the country's economic future. The Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called a surprise vote to ask his country whether they'd accept a bailout from European leaders that he thinks would be to oppressive.Sun, 05 Jul 2015 21:22:00 +0000Chris Arnold72298 at http://nhpr.orgFederal Reserve Delays Hike Of Low Interest Rateshttp://nhpr.org/post/federal-reserve-delays-hike-low-interest-rates
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Federal+Reserve+Delays+Hike+Of+Low+Interest+Rates&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MDcwNjYzMDEzMTQ4MjA1NThkNjc1Mg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>Federal Reserve policymakers met. They talked, and once again, they decided the U.S. economy is not quite ready for interest rates to go up. Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen said today the economy is expanding at a moderate pace and the job gains are picking up.Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:02:00 +0000Chris Arnold71208 at http://nhpr.orgAmerica's Next Economic Boom Could Be Lying Undergroundhttp://nhpr.org/post/americas-next-economic-boom-could-be-lying-underground
There's a serious problem in the American economy: Big corporations are doing well, but real household income for average Americans has been falling over the past decade — down 9 percent, according to <a href="https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/demo/p60-249.pdf">census data</a>.<p>"That's not good for America," says Harvard economist Michael Porter. "That's not good for America's standard of living.Thu, 11 Jun 2015 09:02:00 +0000Chris Arnold70785 at http://nhpr.orgAmerica's Next Economic Boom Could Be Lying Underground15 Years After The Dot-Com Bust, A Nasdaq Recordhttp://nhpr.org/post/15-years-after-dot-com-bust-nasdaq-record
When it closed at <a href="http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/infoquotes.aspx?symbol=IXIC&selected=IXIC">5,056.06</a> on Thursday, the Nasdaq Composite Index hit a new high — surpassing the old record close of 5,048.62, reached March 10, 2000, during the dot-com craze.<p>That also makes it 15 years since that infamous tech bubble burst, sending the index down more than 75 percent by the time it hit bottom.<p>After the 2000 crash, <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/03/02/390159251/nasdaq-index-hits-5-000-for-first-time-since-2000">"Nasdaq 5,000"</a> became symbolic among people in the inThu, 23 Apr 2015 20:56:00 +0000Chris Arnold67863 at http://nhpr.org15 Years After The Dot-Com Bust, A Nasdaq RecordWill New Retirement Rules Protect Americans From Wall Street?http://nhpr.org/post/proposed-retirement-advice-rule-has-worrisome-loopholes-experts-say
Saving enough money to retire can be tough. But it's next to impossible if a financial adviser is steering the client into bad investments — and getting big commissions in return. And according to the Obama administration, that's exactly what too many advisers have been doing.<p>Millions of Americans trying to save for retirement have ended up with investments where high fees cripple their returns over time. U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez says much of that is due to bad advice.<p>"I hear story after story of people who trusted their adviser," Perez says.Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:07:00 +0000Chris Arnold67656 at http://nhpr.orgWill New Retirement Rules Protect Americans From Wall Street?With Discounts For Healthy Behavior, John Hancock Courts Privacy Concernshttp://nhpr.org/post/discounts-healthy-behavior-john-hancock-courts-privacy-concerns
John Hancock announced a new program promising discounts for policyholders who wear a fitness tracker, exercise more and go to the doctor. The life insurance company says that if people live longer healthier lives, everybody wins. But privacy advocates worry about all the electronic monitoring. <div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR.Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:35:00 +0000Chris Arnold66940 at http://nhpr.orgWhile Pay Holds Steady For Most, Low-Wage Workers Get A Boosthttp://nhpr.org/post/while-pay-holds-steady-most-low-wage-workers-get-boost
The vast majority of U.S. workers haven't seen any real wage gains since the recession. But that's starting to change, at least for low-income workers.<p>This week, fast-food giant McDonald's announced it will pay workers $1 more than the local minimum wage.<p>It joins some of the nation's other largest employers, including Wal-Mart, Target and TJX, the parent company of Marshalls and TJ Maxx. All say they will be boosting pay to at least $9 per hour this year, and some will go to $10 next year.<p>For Wal-Mart alone, that's a pay raise for half a million Americans.<p>Tom Perez, the U.S.Fri, 03 Apr 2015 22:13:00 +0000Chris Arnold66695 at http://nhpr.orgWhile Pay Holds Steady For Most, Low-Wage Workers Get A BoostCredit Rating Agencies Agree To Change Process For Reporting Errorshttp://nhpr.org/post/credit-rating-agencies-agree-change-process-reporting-errors
The three major credit rating agencies reached an agreement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Monday to change the way they handle errors on credit reports. Under the reforms, consumers can initiate a formal dispute to challenge inaccurate information and agencies must use trained employees to investigate the complaints. <div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR.Mon, 09 Mar 2015 20:38:00 +0000Chris Arnold65174 at http://nhpr.orgWhite House Move To Protect Nest Eggs Sparks Hopes And Fearshttp://nhpr.org/post/white-house-move-protect-nest-eggs-sparks-hopes-and-fears
The Obama administration is creating new protections for Americans saving and investing for retirement, but industry groups say the new rules could hurt the very people the president says he wants to help.<p>If you're building a retirement nest egg, big fees are the dangerous predators looking to feast on it.Fri, 27 Feb 2015 09:08:00 +0000Chris Arnold64554 at http://nhpr.orgWhite House Move To Protect Nest Eggs Sparks Hopes And FearsReining In Financial Advisers May Help — But Americans Still Aren't Savinghttp://nhpr.org/post/reining-financial-advisers-may-help-americans-still-arent-saving
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Reining+In+Financial+Advisers+May+Help+%E2%80%94+But+Americans+Still+Aren%27t+Saving&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MjIzNjkwMDEzMTcwNjcxNzNmYmMzMA004)"/></div><p>Mon, 23 Feb 2015 21:53:00 +0000Chris Arnold64297 at http://nhpr.orgWhite House Moves To Protect Investors From Bad Retirement Advicehttp://nhpr.org/post/consumer-protection-proposal
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=White+House+Moves+To+Protect+Investors+From+Bad+Retirement+Advice&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5NjA1MTgyMDEzMzk3ODE2ODgwOGQyMQ004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Some other news. The White House says President Obama today will move to crack down on parts of Wall Street. It's a proposal to protect Americans from conflicted and bad retirement advice.Mon, 23 Feb 2015 11:17:00 +0000Chris Arnold64244 at http://nhpr.orgRecord Snow Cripples Boston's Subway Systemhttp://nhpr.org/post/record-snow-cripples-bostons-subway-system
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Record+Snow+Cripples+Boston%27s+Subway+System&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAyNDUyNTY4MDEyNDU5NTA0MzAxYzQ4NQ001)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>The head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority handed in her resignation yesterday. That resignation is national news because it comes after winter storms dumped a record 72 inches of snow on Boston over 30 days.Thu, 12 Feb 2015 10:09:00 +0000Chris Arnold63634 at http://nhpr.orgEconomists Say Millennials Should Consider Careers In Tradeshttp://nhpr.org/post/economists-say-millennials-should-consider-careers-trades
<em>This story is part of the</em><em> </em><a href="http://www.npr.org/series/352990765/new-boom">New Boom</a><em> </em><em>series on millennials in America.</em><p>As the economy continues to recover, economists are seeing stark differences between people with high school and college degrees. The unemployment rate is nearly twice as high for Americans with a high school diploma as for those with a four-year college degree or more.<p>But economists say that doesn't mean everybody needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades.Mon, 02 Feb 2015 22:47:00 +0000Chris Arnold63044 at http://nhpr.orgEconomists Say Millennials Should Consider Careers In TradesSenator 'Astounded' That Nonprofit Hospitals Sue Poorest Patientshttp://nhpr.org/post/senator-astounded-nonprofit-hospitals-sue-poorest-patients
NPR and ProPublica have been reporting about nonprofit hospitals that seize the wages of lower-income and working-class patients. Now, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says hospitals could be breaking the law by suing these patients and docking their pay. And he wants some answers.<p>NPR and ProPublica looked across six states, and in each, we found nonprofit hospitals suing hundreds of their patients. One hospital in particular jumped out — Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mo.Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:34:00 +0000Chris Arnold62410 at http://nhpr.orgSenator 'Astounded' That Nonprofit Hospitals Sue Poorest PatientsConsumer Agency Launches Tool To Help You Find A Cheaper Mortgagehttp://nhpr.org/post/consumer-agency-launches-tool-help-you-find-cheaper-mortgage
Many Americans love a good deal, shopping around to save $10 or $20 on a pair of pants or winter coats for the kids — but when finding mortgages, <a href="http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201501_cfpb_consumers-mortgage-shopping-experience.pdf" target="_blank">nearly half don't even call around to different banks</a>.Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:32:00 +0000Chris Arnold61876 at http://nhpr.orgConsumer Agency Launches Tool To Help You Find A Cheaper MortgageEmployment Is Up. Paychecks, Not So Muchhttp://nhpr.org/post/employment-paychecks-not-so-much
The U.S. economy saw the strongest job growth last year since 1999, according to statistics released Friday by the Department of Labor. The country gained another 252,000 jobs in December.<p>That's the good news — but this jobs report also dashed some hopes for fatter paychecks. Employers are hiring more people, but overall, the wages they're paying remain flat.<p>A month ago, it seemed wages were starting to pick up — but those November numbers were revised lower.Sat, 10 Jan 2015 15:33:00 +0000Chris Arnold61759 at http://nhpr.orgEmployment Is Up. Paychecks, Not So MuchLower Gas Prices Add Fuel To U.S. Economic Recoveryhttp://nhpr.org/post/lower-gas-prices-add-fuel-us-economic-recovery
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Lower+Gas+Prices+Add+Fuel+To+U.S.+Economic+Recovery&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODM0MjQzMDEyMTY4NDQwNDM4ODU3OA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>Low oil prices are a big reason for the positive economic news this week. The Commerce Department says the U.S. economy is growing at its fastest pace in 11 years. Consumer spending is up. And, of course, gas prices are way down.Wed, 24 Dec 2014 10:02:00 +0000Chris Arnold60866 at http://nhpr.orgWhen Nonprofit Hospitals Sue Their Poorest Patientshttp://nhpr.org/post/when-hospital-bill-becomes-decade-long-pay-cut
On the eastern edge of St. Joseph, Mo., lies the small city's only hospital, a landmark of modern brick and glass buildings. Everyone in town knows Heartland Regional Medical Center — many residents gave birth to their children here. Many rush here when they get hurt or sick.<p>And there's another reason everyone knows this place: Thousands of people around St. Joseph have been sued by the hospital and had their wages seized to pay for medical bills.Fri, 19 Dec 2014 10:03:00 +0000Chris Arnold60603 at http://nhpr.orgWhen Nonprofit Hospitals Sue Their Poorest PatientsMortgage Giants Ease Down Payments For First-Time Homebuyershttp://nhpr.org/post/mortgage-giants-ease-down-payments-first-time-homebuyers
A federal directive will go into effect Saturday making it easier for some Americans to come up with a down payment to buy a house.<p>The vast majority of home loans are guaranteed by the government-controlled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.Fri, 12 Dec 2014 23:21:00 +0000Chris Arnold60242 at http://nhpr.orgMortgage Giants Ease Down Payments For First-Time HomebuyersFor More Local Turkeys To Hit Holiday Tables, You Need An Abattoirhttp://nhpr.org/post/more-local-turkeys-hit-holiday-tables-you-need-abattoir
It's a busy time of year for turkey farmers around the country. And these days, with the growth of the local food movement, small family farms are struggling to keep up with all the orders for birds. So, we went to find out what one New England farmer is doing to get her gobblers from the field to the table. Enter the "abattoir."<p>On a recent chilly November morning, I visited Kate Stillman's farm, a 160-acre spread nestled in between some little hilly pastures and some woods. It's a beautiful little place. And it's been a farm here in Hardwick, Mass., since the early 1800s.Tue, 25 Nov 2014 23:32:00 +0000Chris Arnold59264 at http://nhpr.orgFor More Local Turkeys To Hit Holiday Tables, You Need An AbattoirSustained Lower Gas Prices Could Drive Economic Growthhttp://nhpr.org/post/sustained-lower-gas-prices-could-drive-economic-growth
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Sustained+Lower+Gas+Prices+Could+Drive+Economic+Growth&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAyMTY5Njg0MDEyMjQ2OTQ4NjVhMTAyZg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>Let's talk next about the economic effects of oil prices. We've been reporting this week on oil prices that seem to drop measurably day by day. Eventually, that translates to cheaper gas.Fri, 17 Oct 2014 10:25:00 +0000Chris Arnold57063 at http://nhpr.orgU.S. Gas Prices Continue To Slide Downwardhttp://nhpr.org/post/us-gas-prices-continue-slide-downward
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=U.S.+Gas+Prices+Continue+To+Slide+Downward&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODMzOTM1MDEyMTY4Mzc5OTliNTMwMg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>If you are driving anywhere this three-day weekend, you may do a little happy dance at the gas station, or at least you'll take notice gas prices are falling. And that's happening because oil prices have been falling.Fri, 10 Oct 2014 20:05:00 +0000Chris Arnold56754 at http://nhpr.orgNew 15-Year Mortgage May Open Homeownership Door For More Buyershttp://nhpr.org/post/new-15-year-mortgage-may-open-homeownership-door-more-buyers
The 30-year mortgage is the foundation of the real estate market largely because it makes housing more affordable. But the truth is, it's a lousy loan for building actual ownership or equity in your home during the first 5 or 7 years, which caused big trouble when housing crashed.<p>But there's something new that's getting a lot of attention. It's called the <a href="http://www.aei.org/article/economics/a-straight-path-to-wealth-and-debt-free-homeownership/" target="_blank">Wealth Building Home Loan</a> because it helps people own more of their house more quickly.Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:14:00 +0000Chris Arnold56421 at http://nhpr.orgNew 15-Year Mortgage May Open Homeownership Door For More BuyersThe 'Bond King' Leaves His $2 Trillion Kingdomhttp://nhpr.org/post/bond-king-leaves-his-2-trillion-kingdom
Heavy drama played out this week — and not just on Shonda Rhimes' TV shows.<p>The bond-investing world was roiled by news that Bill Gross — the man known as "The Bond King" — has abruptly left the huge investment firm he founded in 1971. The departure left a lot of people scratching their heads on Wall Street.<p>"The natural question is: What's going on at PIMCO?" said David Kotok, chief investment officer at Cumberland Advisors.Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:03:00 +0000Chris Arnold56053 at http://nhpr.orgThe 'Bond King' Leaves His $2 Trillion KingdomCalpers Pulls Public Employee Pensions Out Of Hedge Fundshttp://nhpr.org/post/calpers-pulls-public-employee-pensions-out-hedge-funds
California's public employee pension is divesting its entire $4 billion stake in hedge funds. Calpers says the investment proved to be too complex and not worth the expenses. Many public pensions turned to hedge funds in hopes of boosting returns and gaining protection from market crashes, but most have lagged behind market indexes in recent years. <div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR.Tue, 16 Sep 2014 20:12:00 +0000Chris Arnold55533 at http://nhpr.orgShould We Kill The $100 Bill? http://nhpr.org/post/should-we-kill-100-bill
Of all the U.S. currency in the world, nearly 80 percent is in $100 bills. That's about a trillion dollars.<p>Some people want to get rid of the bill altogether.Thu, 14 Aug 2014 21:05:00 +0000Chris Arnold53784 at http://nhpr.orgShould We Kill The $100 Bill? Some Public Pension Funds Making Big Bets On Hedge Fundshttp://nhpr.org/post/some-public-pension-funds-making-big-bets-hedge-funds
Public pension funds have been doing something new in recent years — investing in hedge funds.<p>Hedge funds are often secretive investment firms led by supposedly supersmart fund managers. Though, sometimes they implode spectacularly — think <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/business/worldbusiness/07iht-07ltcm.15941880.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0">Long-Term Capital Management</a>.Fri, 01 Aug 2014 20:14:00 +0000Chris Arnold52999 at http://nhpr.orgSome Public Pension Funds Making Big Bets On Hedge FundsT-Mobile Accused Of Billing Customers With Bogus Feeshttp://nhpr.org/post/t-mobile-accused-billing-customers-bogus-fees
The Federal Trade Commission says the illegal charges were for premium services customers didn't order. T-Mobile says the suit is unfounded, and that it stopped billing for the services last year.Wed, 02 Jul 2014 09:05:00 +0000Chris Arnold51194 at http://nhpr.org